Brooklyn Cultural Leader to Receive Honorary Degree at LIU Brooklyn Commencement

BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LIU Brooklyn will honor Karen Brooks Hopkins, president of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), at its Commencement ceremony on May 12, 2015, at the Barclays Center. Hopkins has played a transformative role in broadening the reach and helping to redefine Brooklyn's cultural gravitas through premier performing arts programming at BAM and its affiliates in Downtown Brooklyn.

For more than three decades, Hopkins has championed the creative revitalization in Brooklyn and is credited with elevating BAM to the pantheon of New York City's leading cultural institutions. Her business acumen and tenacity have led to hundreds of millions in fundraising dollars invested in BAM and the local community. Having played an integral role in leading BAM to global recognition and success, she recently announced she will step down as president in June 2015.

In addition to her role at BAM, Hopkins was a member of Mayor de Blasio's transition committee, and previously served a two-year term as chair of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and as a member of former Mayor Bloomberg's Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission. She is currently a member of the boards of trustees of NYC & Company, the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, and the Global Cultural Districts Network. Among the many honors and accolades Hopkins has earned, she was named one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in New York" by Crain's New York Business, and was a member of the first class of the Crain's New York Business Hall of Fame. She also received the honor of Chevalier de l'ordre des arts et des lettres by the government of France.

"Karen Brooks Hopkins' contributions to the Brooklyn community have been immeasurable," said Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, president of LIU. "Hopkins represents exceptional leadership prowess and a commitment to the community. She is an exemplary role model to our students, having played a vital role in revitalizing Brooklyn as an artistic and cultural destination for a world audience. LIU is proud to honor our graduates and celebrate our exceptional honoree."

"LIU's commitment to the arts community and role as a major cultural driver in Brooklyn is evident," said Eric Krasnoff, chairman of the LIU Board of Trustees. The University recently announced that the LIU Brooklyn Paramount, a historic palace of cinema and music, will undergo renovations to restore its 1920s opulence and reintroduce the theater as a leading performing arts venue. "LIU honors Karen Hopkins, who has shown a likeminded commitment to Brooklyn and played a leading role in reestablishing the borough and all it has to offer, as an important destination for arts and culture."

For more information on the LIU Brooklyn Commencement ceremonies, visit www.liu.edu/brooklyn/commencement.

LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY

LIU is one of the nation's largest private universities. Since its founding in 1926, LIU has provided high quality academic programs taught by world-class faculty.  LIU offers 500 accredited programs to more than 20,000 students and has a network of over 200,000 alumni that includes leaders in industries across the globe. Visit liu.edu for more information.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150423/201433 

SOURCE Long Island University

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